Today's Hotels Pulse
Business Travel to the U.S. Powered by Key International Hubs
A Business Traveller analysis maps the countries and cities that generate the most business travel to the United States, underscoring their impact on hotel demand.
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By the numbers: Airbnb leads $58M Series C in WeRoad
Indian Gov't Offers $424mn Airline Bailout Amid Gulf Crisis
The Indian government announced a $424 million bailout to shore up its airline sector as the Gulf crisis disrupts regional travel. The package is aimed at carriers such as Air India Express that are grappling with liquidity strains. Simultaneously, New Delhi has trimmed airport fees by 25% and opened additional slots for foreign airlines. These measures are part of a broader effort to stabilise domestic air traffic and mitigate the fallout from heightened geopolitical tensions.
Traditional Luxury Is Dead but Never the Tradition of Luxury
Traditional luxury hotels—grand historic properties with formal service—remain relevant but are no longer a growth engine as an asset class. The industry is pivoting to experiential luxury, where brands blend exclusive activities, wellness, remote locales and curated community experiences to...
Shangri-La Kunming Debuts as a New Gateway for Cultural Discovery
Shangri‑La Group has opened Shangri‑La Kunming, a 75‑room luxury hotel that fuses Yunnan’s tea‑merchant heritage with contemporary Asian hospitality. International design firm AvroKO created a “Tea Merchant’s Mansion” aesthetic, featuring art installations, a Secret Garden, and stained‑glass corridors that echo...
Bofill Taller De Arquitectura Unveils Landscape-Inspired Resort in Dhërmi, Albania
Bofign Taller de Arquitectura has released final renderings for The Veil, a new resort in Dhërmi, Albania. The development will comprise 366 apartments and 77 villas arranged on two adjacent plots, with architecture that follows the rugged coastal‑mountain terrain. The...
Upper House Rolls Out House Locals Programme Across Key Cities
Upper House, the luxury hotel brand, has launched the “House Locals” programme to give guests curated, locally‑driven experiences. The initiative currently operates in its Hong Kong, Chengdu and Shanghai properties, pairing travelers with creatives such as urban‑hike guide Leo Chung, panda‑conservation specialist Danny Qi,...
All About Choice
Errol McGlothan of Airport Dimensions says personalisation and premiumisation are redefining the airport experience. New research shows 83% of EMEA travelers would pay for standard lounge access and 77% seek top‑tier lounges, while affluent leisure travellers—just 26% of passengers—account for...
Global Hotel Alliance Records 1Q Growth Led by Discovery Programme Activity
Global Hotel Alliance posted strong first‑quarter 2026 results, with total hotel revenue climbing 24% to $921 million. Room revenue surged 27% to $738 million as room nights rose 34%, driven by heightened activity in its Discovery loyalty programme. Membership expanded 36% to...
Umana Bali Brings Together Cultural Rituals and Volcano Flights for Summer Stays
Umana Bali, part of LXR Hotels & Resorts, has launched a suite of summer experiences aimed at families and active travelers. Set on the cliffs of Ungasan, the resort blends 72 pool‑villa accommodations with cultural immersion, wellness programs, and outdoor...
AI Robot Enhances Guest Experience with Real-Time Guidance
#AI Meets Hospitality: Realbotix #Robot Greets and Guides Visitors by @CyberRobooo #Robotics #ArtificialIntelligence #Innovation #Technology https://t.co/h3IhbYiWo7
Are Marriott Bonvoy’s Flight Ticket Redemptions a Good Deal?
Marriott Bonvoy lets members redeem points for cash‑priced airline tickets, eliminating reward‑seat constraints and still earning airline miles. The redemption chart averages 30,000‑240,000 points for flights ranging from $150 to $1,060, translating to roughly 0.29 pence per point (about 0.39 cents). This...
Alaska Airlines Unveils First-Ever Safety Video: Does It Hint At New Destination?
Alaska Airlines debuted its first in‑flight safety video, now shown on seat‑back screens of its new Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The 787 rollout follows the airline’s acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines, which gave Alaska access to wide‑body aircraft and the ability to...
Digit7 Launches Zero‑cost MicroMarket at Asheville Hotel, Adding 24/7 Guest Retail
Digit7 has deployed its zero‑investment MicroMarket at a premium hotel in Asheville, North Carolina, delivering 24/7 grab‑and‑go retail without upfront cost to the property. The solution runs on a revenue‑sharing model, turning underused lobby space into a continuous income source...
RMS and RoomPriceGenie Report Shows Disconnected Systems Cost Hoteliers Up to 7 Hours Weekly
RMS and RoomPriceGenie released a joint research report showing that fragmented technology systems force hospitality operators to spend up to seven hours a week fixing data issues. The study highlights that weak integrations, not the number of tools, drive operational...
Best Ways to Get to Asia Using Points and Miles (2026)
The 2026 update of Frequent Miler’s guide details how to redeem transferable points for flights to Asia, covering award pricing, stopover rules, fuel surcharges, and cancellation policies across major programs. It highlights Aeroplan’s extensive partner network and low‑cost stopovers, Alaska...
Quintana Roo Welcomes Over 600,000 Tourists in First Week of Semana Santa, Hits 80.7% Occupancy
Quintana Roo reported an 80.7% average hotel occupancy and welcomed more than 600,000 tourists in the first week of Semana Santa, with total visitor projections topping 1.2 million. Governor Mara Lezama and Tourism Secretary Bernardo Cueto Riestra highlighted the surge as...
Kimpton Seafire Celebrates Ten Years in the Cayman Islands
Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa on Grand Cayman celebrates its tenth anniversary, launching a year‑long "A Year of Milestones" campaign. The program offers personalized rates, concierge‑crafted itineraries, and exclusive experiences for couples and families along Seven Mile Beach. A sweepstakes...
Duetto and Meliá Hotels Launch Partnership to Boost Resort Revenue Management for 250+ Properties
Duetto has entered a strategic partnership with Meliá Hotels International to embed its Revenue & Profit Operating System across more than 250 Meliá resorts worldwide. The collaboration focuses on automating pricing, promotions and inventory for wholesale and tour‑operator channels in...
American Airlines Enhances Mobile App to Streamline Travel Experience
American Airlines rolled out a major redesign of its mobile app, turning the trip details page into a central hub for check‑in, boarding passes, and waitlist status. The update lets travelers manage seats, upgrades, baggage, itinerary changes and special service...
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust (PEB) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust posted Q2 2025 results that topped guidance, delivering same‑property hotel EBITDA of $115.8 million and adjusted FFO of $0.65 per share. Strong performance came from urban markets—San Francisco RevPAR rose 15.2% YoY—and out‑of‑room revenue gains at Newport Harbor Island...
WTM Latin America 2026 Concludes with Record-Breaking Figures, Reinforces Responsible Tourism, and Confirms 2027 Dates
WTM Latin America 2026 wrapped up with record participation, showcasing a 10.75% jump to 35,463 attendees and a 13% rise in exhibiting brands to 936. High‑value visitors surged 75%, driven by a 115% increase in travel agents, while the meeting‑scheduling...
Bilt Rent Day for May 2026: 40%-100% Transfer Bonus to Avios Programs
Bilt Rewards announced its May 1, 2026 Rent Day promotion, offering transfer bonuses of 40% to 100% when moving Bilt points to Avios programs (British Airways, Iberia, Aer Lingus). Bonus tiers are 40% for Blue, 50% for Silver, 60% for Gold, 75% for...
Air Canada Highlights Circular Uniform Program for Earth Day
Air Canada unveiled its circular uniform program on Earth Day, detailing four pathways—Rewear, Donate, Transform, and Repurpose—to extend garment life. The Rewear stream redistributes cleaned uniforms to staff at no charge, while surplus items are donated to Brands for Canada....
As Regional Conflict Takes Its Toll, Dubai’s Hoteliers Are Responding Strategically
Dubai’s hospitality sector, long buoyed by high occupancy and premium rates, is now feeling the strain of regional conflict. Iconic properties such as the Burj Al Arab are closing for an 18‑month refurbishment, and industry data shows nearly 2,000 rooms across...
Southwest Airlines Unveils “Independence One” Livery to Celebrate the Nation’s 250th
Southwest Airlines introduced a new patriotic livery called Independence One, featuring red, white and blue colors, a "1776" tail number and thirteen stars. The aircraft will debut on April 29 with a Dallas‑to‑Philadelphia flight, linking the carrier’s home base to...
Hotel Rooms Trap CO₂, Harming Cognition—Ask for Open Windows
How bad is air quality in hotel rooms? The ever-informed @tferriss recently reported (at https://t.co/gWO0WYpm6s) "James Nestor, author of Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art, travels with a portable CO₂ monitor called an Aranet4 and has been recording levels...
Airlines Raising Baggage Fees
U.S. airlines are hiking checked‑bag fees, with some routes charging more for two bags than the base fare. Overweight charges now start at $100 for bags over 50 lb, even if only a pound excess. Delta and JetBlue added a $3.50...
Pokeworks Leans Off-Prem with Innovative Poke Dish
Pokeworks launched Poke Bombs on April 21, a grab‑and‑go poke offering that packs sushi‑grade fish, rice and inari tofu into portable pockets. The two‑piece product is sold in‑store and via online ordering, targeting busy consumers. The rollout follows a record‑breaking...
Solo Cruising Expands With Riviera’s 2026 Lineup
Riviera Travel is expanding its solo‑traveler offering by removing the single‑supplement fee on five 2026 European river cruise itineraries, including the Danube, Douro, Seine, and Rhine‑Moselle routes. Prices start at about $1,800 per person, providing greater value and flexibility for...
Nano Masters Unveils AI‑Driven Self‑Assessment Tool to Close Hotel Operational Gaps
Nano Masters introduced its Future‑Ready Self‑Assessment, an AI‑powered diagnostic platform that lets hotels identify operational bottlenecks and improve guest experience without costly consulting. The launch targets global operators seeking faster, data‑driven fixes to rising service expectations.
Air Canada Aeroplan to Make Award Chart Changes in June — Here’s What You Should Book Now
Air Canada’s Aeroplan will update its award charts on June 1, 2026, raising points for several premium‑class awards while cutting points for many economy and business routes. The most notable increases affect business class between North America and the Atlantic (4,001‑6,000 mi) and...
SMART 2026 Puts the Region’s Tourism Industry in Focus
The Saint Martin/Sint Maarten Annual Regional Tradeshow (SMART) returns June 22‑26, 2025 at the JW Marriott Sint Maarten Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, marking its 25th anniversary. Organized by the twin‑nation governments and the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association, the five‑day event gathers tourism executives,...
Air Transat Adds Aruba, Barbados, and Los Cabos to Winter 2026-2027 Schedule
Air Transat, three‑time Skytrax World’s Best Leisure Airline, announced new winter 2026‑2027 service from Montreal to Aruba, Barbados and Los Cabos. The routes will launch between Dec 10 and Dec 13, with weekly frequencies ranging from one to two flights per week....
Rising Costs, Falling Margins: Why Restaurants Must Deploy Workflows, Not Just Robots
Restaurant operators face soaring food costs (+34%) and labor expenses (+39%) since the pandemic, tightening margins across the sector. To combat labor shortages and meet guest expectations, many are turning to robotics for repetitive front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house tasks. Kura Sushi,...
The Power of the Right Tomato: Driving Flavor, Efficiency and Margins Across the Menu
Rising labor costs and volatile food prices are squeezing restaurant margins, prompting operators to seek ingredients that simplify kitchen workflows. Orlando Foods’ Ciao tomatoes, harvested at peak ripeness in Southern Italy and canned immediately, deliver consistent flavor, color, and natural...
At Silicon Valley’s Retail Epicenter, “Asia Live” Reimagines the Dining Experience as Cultural Theater
Asia Live, a 15,000‑square‑foot immersive dining and cultural marketplace, will debut on June 1, 2026 at Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara. Founded by George Chen and Cindy Wong‑Chen, the concept expands their China Live model into a multi‑station "culinary theater" that spans Chinese,...
A Fine Line: Understanding the Nuances Between Discipline and Abuse in Kitchen Culture
The article by Chef Vincent Tropepe highlights the thin line separating essential kitchen discipline from outright abuse. While disciplined environments ensure safety, consistency, and skill development, abusive practices—yelling, humiliation, and intimidation—undermine morale and increase turnover. The piece argues that the...
Ankit Tandon Named Vice Chairman of G6 Hospitality
PRISM appointed its global COO Ankit Tandon as vice chairman of G6 Hospitality. Tandon will join CEO Sonal Sinha on the board and focus on franchise partner relations and building a stronger local team. The reshuffle also installs Anuj Ladha...
E59. An Epic Collection
The Epik Collection, a Montreal‑based network of independent boutique hotels, is redefining luxury hospitality by weaving art, local character, and personalized service into each property. In a recent "Checking In" podcast, editor Rosanna Caira spoke with vice‑president Daniel Gallant about...
May 2026 Digital Issue
Hotelier’s annual Hotel Investment Issue examines Canada’s hotel investment landscape, covering transaction volume, fractional ownership, and M&A activity. The report highlights how technology and revenue management are reshaping development and profitability. Released alongside the Canadian Hotel Investment Conference, the issue...
In a Heavy Value Environment, Loyalty Is Harder to Come By
New Tillster data shows 45% of U.S. diners changed their favorite restaurant in the last year, a sharp rise from one‑third in 2025. Despite a surge in loyalty‑program participation—71% of consumers report using them—overall diner loyalty is slipping as inflation...
Pope Leo XIV Visit Boosts Cameroon Tourism as eTurboNews Ambassador Francoise Kameni Lele Plays Her Role
Pope Leo XIV’s three‑day visit to Cameroon in April 2026 included stops in Yaoundé, Bamenda and Douala, drawing crowds of 100,000‑500,000. The papal tour coincided with the conflict‑affected Anglophone region, where the Pope called for peace and an end to corruption. International...
Rove Promotions: 1,500 Free Miles for Enrolling, 250 Miles for Completing a Survey
Rove, a hybrid travel‑booking and shopping portal, is offering a 1,500‑mile sign‑up bonus and a 250‑mile reward for completing a short survey. The survey promotion, which ends on May 2, 2026, also enters participants in a draw for 50,000 additional miles. Both...
Why Some Celebrity Restaurants Last 30 Years and Most Die in 18 Months
5WPR’s Hospitality Celebrity Index uncovers a stark bimodal survival pattern for celebrity‑backed hospitality venues. Approximately 60‑70% of celebrity restaurants close within five years, yet those that survive often operate for three decades. The study credits a three‑partner model—celebrity equity, creative...
Air Canada Aeroplan Devaluation: New Award Charts Coming June 1
Air Canada announced that its Aeroplan award chart will be revised on June 1, 2026, resulting in a devaluation of points across most routes. The new structure, which blends zone‑based and distance‑based pricing, raises redemption costs by as much as...
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, Chicago Announces 2026 Artist-in-Residence Ronnie Frey
Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel in Chicago announced photographer Ronnie Frey as its 2026 Artist-in-Residence. The exhibition, featuring Frey’s "Doorways of Chicago" series, will run from May 13 through November 15, 2026 inside the iconic Aqua Tower. A private reception on...
Paradies Lagardère Opens New ATL Concessions
Paradies Lagardère has opened three new retail concepts—Atlanta Beltline Market, Atlanta Influences Everything, and The Village Retail—inside Concourse B of Hartsfield‑Jackson Atlanta International Airport. Each store showcases products from Atlanta‑based, Black‑owned businesses, aiming to reflect the city’s culture, creativity and...
How Yum Brands Executives Work Together on Value
Yum Brands leveraged Taco Bell’s proven value‑pricing playbook to help fast‑casual chain Habit Burger & Grill design a $6, $8 and $10 value menu. The collaboration, facilitated through Yum’s in‑house Collider platform, also inspired KFC’s $7‑$11 Box Feasts and $5 bowls. Taco...
The Things in Your Hotel’s Water (and What to Do About Them)
Hotels are increasingly recognizing that tap water quality is a guest‑experience issue, not just a utility concern. Contaminants such as PFAS, heavy metals, microplastics, and chlorine can pass through municipal systems and aging plumbing, affecting taste, safety, and health. The...
After a Popular Residency, Kevin Finch’s Arthur Now Has a Permanent Home in Brooklyn, N.Y.
Chef Kevin Finch and his wife Alexa have turned their popular pop‑up, Arthur, into a permanent 38‑seat restaurant in Greenpoint, Brooklyn, opening on April 10. The venue draws on modern Parisian bistro aesthetics while showcasing seasonal Northeastern ingredients. Finch brings...
Illinois' Oldest Hotel Brims With Historic Charm Between Cedar Rapids And Madison
The DeSoto House Hotel, opened in 1855, is Illinois’ oldest continuously operating hotel and sits in the historic town of Galena, midway between Cedar Rapids and Madison. Its 55 Victorian‑style rooms blend period décor with modern amenities, and the property...